Chapter 8

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Pre-Reading Activity/Question:


What are some things people do to remember important moments in their lives- graduations, holidays, births, birthdays? Possible answers- have a party, take pictures, video tape an event, make scrapbooks, etc.

In this chapter, GT explains what he does to remember important moments.

Vocabulary:

  • spin/spin doctor pg.68
  • trek pg. 70
  • rheumatoid arthritis pg. 71
  • trial pg. 73
  • perseverance (related to trees being there long after GT is gone and continuing with campaign)
  • Figurative Language: "All those fine memories pushing up to the sky." pg. 71
"He had the kind of smile that took over his face." pg. 71

Reading Lesson Topics:


Character Chart

  • At this point in the novel, we are beginning to get a deeper understanding of the characters. In order to keep our main characters straight, students can use a character chart. The teacher can model with a minor character like Lou Ellen or Gleason Beal. As students read Chapter 8, they can focus on what they would write for G.T. In the scene where G.T. is talking to Hope about planting trees and memories, readers get a glimpse of his kindness, strength and sincerity.

  • The character chart asks students to identify the relationship of the character to another character in the story, a strength and weakness of the character, a defining moment for the character, an essential question they have for the character, and a symbol they would use to represent the character. Students should be able to fill out most of this graphic organizer at this point. They may have to leave a few spaces blank and fill them in over the next couple of chapters.


CharacterChartHopeWasHere.doc


Writing Activities:**


  • Reflection Question - Who would you plant a tree for and why? What kind of tree would you plant?
  • Create character Metaphors:
  1. Hope is like a because _.because ._ because .
  2. Addie is like
  3. GT is like

    • In this chapter Sid Vole exhibits the characteristics of a good leader after he learns that G.T.’s petition to run for mayor was not accepted. Explain what he does that shows he is a good leader? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.